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Thursday, June 28, 2012

Michelle Willingham: Tormented Heroes in Romance

I love to challenge myself with every book I write. Whether
it's delving into research for medieval Scotland or writing stories about
broken heroes or heroines—I relish the thrill of creating a story that hasn't
been done before. But while writing Tempted by the Highland Warrior, I
seriously wondered if I'd lost my mind.

A silent hero? A man who has lost his ability to speak? How
in the world was I going to pull this one off? At the time it sounded like a
fun idea. My wounded hero was traumatized by his torture as a prisoner-of-war
during the first War of Independence between Scotland and England. Although his
brothers rescued him, he was bordering on madness. The only thing that grounded
him and held him steady was his love for Marguerite, the woman who found him.

As I wrote the book, it transformed from a Robin Hood story
between a scarred archer and the daughter of a duke . . . into a Romeo and
Juliet story. My challenge was to convey the thoughts and emotions of Callum MacKinloch,
though he couldn't speak a single word. There were days when I wanted to knock
my head against the wall for coming up with this idea—and days when Callum came
alive for me, a man imprisoned within his own skin, unable to speak to the
woman he loved.

I've always adored tormented heroes, and this one challenged
me beyond all others. Some of my favorite wounded men in romance include the
Duke of Jervaulx (Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale), Sebastian
Ballister (Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase), Zsadist (Lover
Awakened by JR Ward), and John Matthew (first introduced in Lover
Eternal by JR Ward and then with his own book in Lover Mine).
There's something about a strong hero with a dark past that appeals to me, both
as a reader and an author.

What about you? Who are some of your favorite tormented
heroes? Tell me the book title, and you'll be entered in my drawing to win a
signed copy of book one in the MacKinloch series, Claimed by the Highland
Warrior (Nominated for a 2012 Bookseller's Best Award).

22 comments:

Wow, this was certainly a challenging story and character - amazing - my favorite tormented heroes - first and foremost, Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre - definitely Wuthering Heights' Heathcliff - thank you Marybelle for the reminder - Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind - he and Scarlett really did torment each other -

Great post, I have not read any of your books yet however I have heard great things and they are now on my list to read. I love the tortured hero story. I recently read Shana Galen's The Making of a Gentleman with the tortured hero of Armand Harcourt. Wonderful book.

I would have to say that my favorite tormented heroes would have to be all the men in JR Ward's BDB series because with each one there is something that is relatable what torments them so they seem even more real.

The Sharpe brothers from Sabrina Jeffries Hellions of Halstead Hall series. They were tortued because of there parents death, a friends death, and then the threat of being cut off by their grandmother. All 3 boy each have their own demons they have to conquer. Thanks for the great giveaway.Christinebails@yahoo.com

I love a tortured hero and have been waiting (most impatiently) for Callum's story ever since I first read about him. Jane Eyre would start off my list but most of my favorite heroes are tortured. I particularly love a Scot who is tortured by his love of country and honor. One of my favorites is Seducing the Governess by Margot Maguire. A soldier is often the most tortured of heroes.

Ah, tormented heroes! They're so very lovely because they're fighting themselves much of the way! They don't believe they're worthy of love or can't envision that someone would love them that way... it's such a heartwrenching journey for them to open themselves to happiness! You've written one or two yourself, if I recall ;)